- We talked in class a little today about symbolism of rain and the relationship between Frederic and Catherine. In Book 3/Part III, Frederic is back on the front. In chapter 28, the army retreats to the city of Udine and experiences start-and-stop traffic (something we still deal with). On pages 171-172, Frederic lost himself in a day dream where he says “blow, blow ye western wind” and asks for the rain to bring Catherine to him, then having a “conversation” with her. What do you make of his longing for Catherine — is he tired of the front/wartime situation already, does the rain make him think and worry about her, etc.?
- The carabinieri were collecting, questioning, and shooting officers who had crossed the bridge because they believed that any officer was a German in disguise. Piani and Frederic encountered some Brigata di Pace soldiers before this. Compare the attititudes of the carabinieri and the Peace Brigade to killing officers: “‘The war won’t go on,’ a soldier said. ‘We’re going home. The war is over (p. 189).'” and “‘Down with the officer! Viva la Pace (p. 190)!'” vs. “‘It is you and such as you that have let the barbarians onto the sacred soil of the fatherland (p. 193).'” and “‘It is because of treachery such as yours that we have lost the fruits of victory (p. 193).'” Do either/both/neither propagate or inhibit the war?
- “Anger was washed away in the river along with any obligation (p. 200).” Considering the paragraph before talking about lying with guns and Frederic’s frustration over the carbinieri, as well as sections in the novel previously, does flowing/moving water symbolize something now for him as it does Catherine?
Tag Archives: Reading questions
Terrencia Johnson’s Reading Questions for Thursday 2/17/2022 : Book Two (Pages 71-140)
When Frederic arrives to Milan, he is told by two doctors that it will take six months to operate on his knee.
“Certainly. It’s a question of time I could not conscientiously open a knee like that before the projectile was encysted.” (84)
He insisted on getting another opinion from Dr. Valentini, who agreed to do the surgery the next day. Frederic healed fine and was progressing well after his operation. I felt like when I read this part, it reminded me of when Paul from All Quiet, was at the hospital and the doctors were experimenting with the wounded soldiers. Waiting the six months could alter the entire book and story line drastically.
Question 1:
In Frederic’s scenario, do you believe the doctors we’re experimenting to see how he would do? Or was their argument genuine as to why he had to wait six months?
During the second portion of our reading for A Farewell To Arms, most of it is centered around when Frederic is at the hospital in Milan. Catherine is a nurse at the hospital Fredric is at, so we get more dialogue and scenes of the two and we read their relationship getting more serious. Early in the book Frederic lies when discussing with Catherine about loving her. As time goes on, he does genuinely fall in love with her. As their time in Milan progresses marriage is discussed a few times.
“We said to each other that we were married the first day she had come to the hospital, and we counted months from our wedding day. I wanted to be really married but Catherine said that if we were they would send her away and if we merely started on the formalities that they would watch her and would break us up.” (99)
I understand that there could be rules regarding relationships, but it is strange that Catherine would not want to be married even if they tried their best to keep it a secret. As we know, Catherine was previously married. Again, there decisions around marriage would alter the book, especially if Catherine were to be taken away.
Question 2:
Is Catherine concerns of getting married stemmed from her previous marriage? Did Hemingway do this strategically to show that Catherine could be afraid to marry again?
Throughout part one and two I get annoyed with Catherine’s actions. She reminds me of a young high school girl in love with a senior jock. There isn’t much context that describes how her previous marriage was but she comes off as someone who just wants to be loved. She often does any and everything that Frederic wants.
“I’ll do what you want and say what you want and then I’ll be a great success won’t I?” (92)
“I want what you want there isn’t me anymore just what you want” (92)
“Don’t you think Miss Barkley ought to go off night duty for a while? She looks awfully tired. Why does she stay on so long?” (95)
Catherine only stayed on night duty because Frederic asked her. There are many things he asked for and she does immediately.
Question 3:
How do you think her willingness to do what Frederic wants connects to her character development? Do you believe there be much growing or development at all for her in the next part?
Nathalie’s Reading Questions for February 1st
Hi everyone!
- In Chapter Four, Nellie receives a letter from her sister containing her own experiences supporting the war. How do her and her sister’s experience differ? Do you think Trix is witholding the reality of her situation as Smith is or do you think she is sharing her own (seemingly better) reality with her sister?
Add on, what do you make of what Trix heard about Smith’s experience supporting the war through rumors amongst her fellow drivers? And to what effect do these rumors take in Chapter Six on the convoy and eventually on the Bug’s mental and physical health? - Later in Chapter Four, Smith angrily demands that her mother and Mrs. Evans-Mawnington follow her and see what occurs straight at the battle field. How does this section relate to our discussion of how the war is perceived at the illusionment of home vs. the brutality of war? And do you think Smith commands to “look” and “see” sharing the ugliness of war and the effects of it on the children sent to the front with these women is cruel or necessary to their understanding? Would their understanding even attribute to any change? Is this passage influential to us today? (pp. 90-96)
- In Chapter Five, the girls throw a going away party for the B.F. complete with speeches. How do you think of the well wishes that The Bug and Tosh send her? Keeping in mind what we talked about in class today in regard to what the B.F. and Etta Potato may be representing to us, what do you make of the tone that these well wishes are said in? (pp. 106-108)
Bonus Round! Featuring random questions I am curious to hear thoughts on.
- On pg 79, Aunt Helen writes a letter to Smith notifying her that she has made a will in her favor. Is this will for Nellie? If so, with what audacity??
- Am I crazy to read this book as a modernist novel? There is a real “stream of consciousness” narrative at play here and I am wondering if I am just overthinking it.
I look forward to hearing what you guys thought on Tuesday. Good night!